DIY Paper Camera for Kids
As many of you know we are honored to work with Michaels as part of the Michaels Makers. Michaels is offering a kids’ summer crafting program, Passport to Imagination, every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 am – noon from June 14-July 31 at every Michaels location across the U.S. Passport to Imagination takes kids on an imaginary seven-week summer road trip from the beach to main street and more! We were excited to join in celebrating Main Street Week.
Main Street USA reminds me of fun street shops and great photo opportunities with family. My girls are always wanting to take pictures and would love to have a camera of their own. I decided to make DIY Paper Cameras with them and we even added some pictures that they could stick inside so it feels like they are taking real pictures.
To start you will need to download a Paper Camera Template.
I found this template online but could never find a source. I pulled it into Photoshop and enlarged and added a few touches that I wanted, like the picture window and top button. My girls couldn’t wait to get their hand on these.
And Pictures for your Paper Camera. These are some stock images that reminded me of fun places around the world. You could also use family or neighborhood photos. The size is 3×2 if you would like to make your own pictures.
Once the you have downloaded, print each paper on a nice heavy card stock. I like using Image Plus card stock for color printing at home.
Hand the DIY Paper Camera over to your kids to color and you can cut out the pictures.
Once the camera’s are colored, have the kids cut them out. Have them cut along the thick black outside lines.
The gray lines on the sides are fold marks. Depending on the children’s ages you may have to help fold a little more. my 6-year-old did a pretty good job, but the 4-year-old needed help.
My girls all wanted a camera strap, “like mom’s,” so I got my trusty hole punch and made the necessary holes in each side.
Slid a piece of baker’s twine in through the holes and tied a knot and made sure the knot stayed inside the camera body.
Now comes the fun part, putting the camera together. Now I remind you that I found this template online with no credit, just an uploaded image that went nowhere. Well, there were no instructions on how to put them together, but I did my best. And I think each camera went together differently. You may have to fold and use an exacto knife on some parts or cut and fold the extra long sides a bit. I will tell you that my favorite way to secure it ended up being scrapbook adhesive mounting squares which you can snag at Michaels. They held everyone together the best and were easy to use.
To add the pictures to the back, we just used some washi tape. I know seems really simple. But it hold the pictures in place for the 5 seconds that my girls want the pictures on, and makes swapping pics really easy.
You could probably put some velcro on the back and do it that way but we liked the ease, and look, of the washi tape.
Now let them at it.
Watch the creativity blossom as your kiddos take picture after picture. We went on a walk and I loved to hear their snaps and clicks.
Aren’t their camera’s so cute? I love how each one captures the personality of it’s owner. My oldest, all grown up and wants a camera like mom’s. Middle daughter still loves pink. And my baby is so colorful and full of life.
I also love how their outfits fit their personalities too. Each outfit is from Gymboree which offers cute, coordinate looks that help your little ones enjoy the little and big moments this summer—from craft time to beach time.
I also love that Gymboree has proudly watched kids learn and grow through the power of play and has seen firsthand the desire from Mom for cute, comfortable, long-lasting, coordinated style at an everyday great price.
#CraftInStyle Instagram Weekly Sweepstakes
We’re hosting a 7-week weekly Instagram sweepstakes, encouraging Mom to share a photo of her family getting crafty and inspired by each week’s summer destination. The weekly winner will receive a $100 Gymboree gift card, a $100 Michaels gift card and craft supplies!
All you have to do is:
- Follow @Gymboreeand @MichaelsStores on Instagram
- Post a picture of how your family crafts in style
- Tag your photo with #CraftInStyleSweeps
Thank you for providing a basic colourabled versi! I was looking for something my girls could do and personalise. Hopefully I’ll have a post up after we do this project. Great idea!
*colourable and version. Oh these tablets with little keys.
Thank you! I’ve been searching the web just for a template, and yours are easy and fun to work with.